The use of Yucca.



Native Americans have many traditional uses for the Yucca. For example, the fibrous leaves can be woven into mats, sandals, and baskets. The leaves can also be frayed on the end and used for paint brushes. The roots can be pounded in water to produce a lather used for soap and shampoo (hence the name soap weed (Yucca elata)). It has also been used for cattle feed during severe droughts, and the fruits of the fleshy fruited species (Yucca baccata is called banana Yucca) has been use for food for native american.



Yucca roots:

As medicine:
Yucca root is a therapeutic anti inflammatory phytosterol with the ability to break up inorganic mineral obstructions and deposits.

Its primary uses are in pain relieving combinations for arthritic and joint pain, and sediment caused by inflammation such as gout, rheumatism, and cystitis. It is also used to establish a flora balance in the GI tract and for asthmatic relief. Yucca root may have a laxative effect.

Soap and shampoo:
Yucca roots can be pounded in water to produce a lather used for soap and shampoo.

I have got a recipe from a visitor (Thanks Jennifer) to this page it is as follows:

"First pull up the root which is deep into the ground and wash all of the dirt off, peel away the dark layers until you reach the white root (inner root), then take a hammer or cut the root and when agitated it should produce a later that is great for washing".

I got another recipe from Bob and Sandra Haley:

"Yucca soap can be made from shredding the leaves and rubbing them together between your palms with water.  or you can take the root peel it place root in a piece of cloth and pound it with a hammer or something, and then add water and you will have soap.
I have also shredded it and added it to trace in making lye soap. After it dries and the hardening process is completed you can use the bars to wash with. The lather isn't much unless you add glycerin to your recipe.

Many thanks for the above contributions, www.bennyskaktus.dk would not be as useful with out such contributions.



Yucca leafs:

The Leafs of Yucca's can be woven into mats, sandals and baskets. And the fibers of Yucca glauca and Yucca elata are strong enough to make burlap. Fibers of Yucca baccata, Yucca torreyi, Yucaa schidigera and Yucca faxoniana are very strong enough to make binder twine and rope.



Yucca's as cattle food:

The Yucca plants has been used as supplement cattle feed, by Rangers during the severe droughts in 1916 and 1919


Yucca fruits:

The fruits of some species can be eaten, either raw or roasted.

In some species the fruits can reach a size of 20 cm in length (The Mexican species Yucca grandiflora), so it's quite a meal.


Yucca flowers:

The flowers can be used as food in salads. I have only tasted the flowers of Yucca flaccida, and I don't think they taste of much.
 


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